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Down By The Water

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Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Em |0-2-2-0-0-0|
G  |3-2-0-0-0-3|
D  |x-x-0-2-3-2| or D/F# |2-x-0-2-3-2|
C  |x-3-2-0-1-0| or C/G  |3-3-2-0-1-0|
The upward line is a bar line, the slashes are the same chords based on
rhythm/spacing. The Em is played in the same rhythm as the chords before it,
but the D major chord is played as two staccato quarter notes; you'll hear
Harmonica in a key of G plays during the [Intro] and during [Break]:
Harmonica tabs:
7 6   -6      -6 6 5 6  5      -4
[Intro]
|      C|      Em|      C|    Em/ |    D/ |
[Verse]
EmSee this ancient Griverbed
DSee where all the Cfollies led
EmDown by the water, (and) dDown by the old main Emdrag
EmI was just some Gtowhead teen
DFeelin' 'round for fingeCrs to get in-between
EmDown by the water, doDwn by the old main Emdrag
[Pre-Chorus]
EmThe season Drubs me Emwrong
EmThe summer Dswells Canon
[Chorus]
So knock me dEmown, tear me Gup
But I would Dbear it all broken just to Cfill my cup
EmDown by the water and Ddown by the old main Emdrag
|      C|      Em|      C|    Em/ |    D/ |
Harmonica tabs:
7 6   -6      -6 6 5 6  5      -4
[Verse]
EmSweet descend this Grabble 'round
the Dpretty little patter of Ca seaport town
EmRolling in the water and rDolling down the old maiEmn drag
EmAll dolled up in Ggabardine
DThe lash-flashing Leda of Cpier nineteen
EmQueen of the water and Dqueen of the old mEmain drag
[Pre-Chorus]
EmThe season Drubs me Emwrong
EmThe summer Dswells Canon
[Chorus]
So knock me dEmown, tear me Gup
But I would Dbear it all broken just to Cfill my cup
EmDown by the water and Ddown by the old main Emdrag
|  C|  Em|  C|   Em    D|
|  Em|  G|  D|  C|  Em| D  
[Pre-Chorus]
EmThe season Drubs me Emwrong
EmThe summer Dswells Canon
[Chorus]
So knock me dEmown, tear me Gup
But I would Dbear it all broken just to Cfill my cup
EmDown by the water and Ddown by the old main Emdrag
[Outro/Coda]
EmDown by the water and Ddown by the old main Emdrag
CDown by the water and Ddown by the old main Emdrag

All chords in this song (4)

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Down By The Water

by The Decemberists

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em |0-2-2-0-0-0|

G |3-2-0-0-0-3|

D |x-x-0-2-3-2| or D/F# |2-x-0-2-3-2|

C |x-3-2-0-1-0| or C/G |3-3-2-0-1-0|

The upward line is a bar line, the slashes are the same chords based on

rhythm/spacing. The Em is played in the same rhythm as the chords before it,

but the D major chord is played as two staccato quarter notes; you'll hear

Harmonica in a key of G plays during the [Intro] and during [Break]:

Harmonica tabs:

7 6 -6 -6 6 5 6 5 -4

[Intro]

C Em C Em D

| | | | / | / |

[Verse]

Em G

See this ancient riverbed

D C

See where all the follies led

Em D Em

Down by the water, (and) down by the old main drag

Em G

I was just some towhead teen

D C

Feelin' 'round for fingers to get in-between

Em D Em

Down by the water, down by the old main drag

[Pre-Chorus]

Em D Em

The season rubs me wrong

Em D C

The summer swells anon

[Chorus]

Em G

So knock me down, tear me up

D C

But I would bear it all broken just to fill my cup

Em D Em

Down by the water and down by the old main drag

C Em C Em D

| | | | / | / |

Harmonica tabs:

7 6 -6 -6 6 5 6 5 -4

[Verse]

Em G

Sweet descend this rabble 'round

D C

the pretty little patter of a seaport town

Em D Em

Rolling in the water and rolling down the old main drag

Em G

All dolled up in gabardine

D C

The lash-flashing Leda of pier nineteen

Em D Em

Queen of the water and queen of the old main drag

[Pre-Chorus]

Em D Em

The season rubs me wrong

Em D C

The summer swells anon

[Chorus]

Em G

So knock me down, tear me up

D C

But I would bear it all broken just to fill my cup

Em D Em

Down by the water and down by the old main drag

C Em C Em D

| | | | |

Em G D C Em D

| | | | | |

[Pre-Chorus]

Em D Em

The season rubs me wrong

Em D C

The summer swells anon

[Chorus]

Em G

So knock me down, tear me up

D C

But I would bear it all broken just to fill my cup

Em D Em

Down by the water and down by the old main drag

[Outro/Coda]

Em D Em

Down by the water and down by the old main drag

C D Em

Down by the water and down by the old main drag

About Down By The Water Chords by The Decemberists

Learn how to play Down By The Water by The Decemberists with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Down By The Water chords”, “Down By The Water guitar chords”, or “The Decemberists Down By The Water chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Down By The Water chords and for experienced players who want accurate Down By The Water lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Em, G, D, D/F, C, C/G.

FAQ — Down By The Water by The Decemberists

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Is "Down By The Water" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "Down By The Water" in?

The chords for "Down By The Water" show the original chord names (including Em, G, D, D/F, C, C/G). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.